FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed how Lionel Messi reacted when he was told that the club could not extend his contract.
Laporta met the media on Friday to explain the situation why the club cannot extend Messi’s contract, saying LaLiga rules made it impossible for the club to continue with the player.
He also confirmed that Messi wanted to continue with the club and both sides had found an agreement but it was not signed off by LaLiga. As a consequence, the player was left shocked because he didn’t expect to hear the news.
“Leo wanted to stay, so he is not happy,” Laporta confirmed.
“We all wanted him to stay. But he has to confront reality and the reality cannot be changed.
“He knows that I wish him all the best. Barca is his home, he has enlarged the club’s trophy cabinet and we’re thankful.”
Laporta also confirmed that Messi and his representatives never asked for outlandish figures.
“They never asked for anything impossible, there were ups and downs, but they never put us in a situation that was impossible.
“We had reached an agreement but we couldn’t formalise it.”